Monday, January 4, 2016

Secret Admirer by Ally Hayes A Candy Heart Romance

My review: One woman, two different men and candy hearts. This is a fun, sweet romance. I enjoyed Andi's story. There is a nice little twist, I did figure it out long before the author told the reader, but it didn't detract from the story. I was kept engaged and turning the pages.

See below for a chance to win a Kindle Fire from The Wild Rose Press

I want to thank Ally for taking time to do my blog interview.

Tell us a
little about yourself:

I’m the
tired mother of three girls and grateful wife of a very patient guy. I grew up
in Massachusetts and still can’t believe I live in the Midwest even eighteen
years later. My husband and I met at college and I fell in love with his
hometown of Chicago along with him. Lucky me though, going home means visiting
Boston. I’ve been an avid reader all my life and not ashamed to say I began
writing out of jealousy. I have always been envious of authors and only when my
youngest began school full time did I believe in myself to see if that envy
could fuel my future.

What do like
the most and the least about writing?

I love that
I am in control of the story, though I tend to forget that sometimes. The least
is the self-imposed pressure. On a good day when the pressure and the writing
flow are in balance it’s the best feeling.

Give us a peek into your latest published work?

Andi’s new to
town and looking for a fresh start in the dating department. She’s attracted to
the guy she sees each morning, but begins flirting via text with Garrett, a
friend of her new co-workers. Despite many attempts and determination, she
misses opportunities to introduce herself to Cute Coffee Shop Guy or actually
meet Garrett in person. With Valentine’s Day approaching she succumbs to the
sugar rush of Candy Hearts and when ‘Secret Admirer’ continues to appear in the
messages, she takes it as a sign to decide which guy is her real Secret Admirer.

What’s next
on the writing horizon for you?

I’m
currently working on New Adult book and attempting to breathe new life into a
novel I wrote and shelved years ago. I struggled to walk away from the story,
but am now glad I did and ready to revive the characters.

Is there
anything you want to tell readers?

Thank you!
Keep reading and passing on the love of the written word to the next
generation. When you love a book – recommend it.

Excerpt of Secret Admirer:

I pulled my sporty hybrid into a
spot right in front of the aptly named Fresh
Start Café. The

irony did not escape me. A loud
overhead door chime announced my entrance. Though still not
quite perky, I gave a weak smile to the few people who
instinctively turned. I ordered a large cup to go and
walked past the glass case of pastries toward the
counter along the far wall offering the requisite sugars,
creamers, stirrers, and lids. I only needed a lid, but that
proved to be more challenging than I could’ve imagined. I
struggled to secure it while avoiding a spill, but I
couldn’t produce a seal.

“They are a bit tricky, but the upside
is once they’re on, they’re on for good.”

Upon hearing a sexy, yet friendly, male
voice, I looked up and blushed upon discovering
the face

eyelashes. I caught myself staring and
quickly looked away and resumed my mission with a
renewed effort. “Yes, snug I guess. You’re right.”
Thankfully the lid made a satisfying pop at that
moment indicating my victory in the lid battle. I quickly
straightened, my hands shaking in time with my racing heart. I
wasn’t expecting to meet a cute guy first thing in the
morning. The combination of surprise and attraction
woke me better than any cup of French Roast could.

About the Author:

As the mother of
three girls, Ally finds creating

drama for her
characters an escape from the real drama

in her own home.
Originally from Boston, she now lives with her husband and
family outside Chicago and writes when not driving to practices and games.